About us
About the LGA Liberal Democrat Group
For the Liberal Democrats, local government is key – localism, community politics, devolved power are all hallmarks of the Liberal Democrats approach.
We have a strong and proud tradition in local government. Across England, Scotland and Wales the Liberal Democrats have councilors – there are no no-go areas for the Liberal Democrats.
We have around 3,000 councillors and our Group at the LGA plays a major role in the organisation. We are the persistent defenders of local democracy, arguing that what a local community can do for itself is best left to that community, without interference from central government. We also carry this message to Government and the wider world.
The LGA is a politically balanced organisation, with each of the political groups allocated places throughout the structure in proportion to the number of people their councillors represent. The new provisional proportions are Conservatives 43%, Labour 36%, Liberal Democrats 14%, and Independents (including Greens and Respect) 7%.
We are very active within the LGA on lobbying, media work and identifying and promoting best practice and also within the Liberal Democrats local government family. We have a very strong working relationship with ALDC (Association of Liberal Democrats Councillors and Campaigners), the Federal Party where appropriate and also our ministers, MPs and peers.
Who we are
The Liberal Democrats at the LGA operate a full and open election process with all Liberal Democrat councillors in England and Wales having a vote. Positions are normally elected ever two years with the last elections taking place in 2011 and the next set in 2013.
In addition to the Executive leadership team, we have all the national leads at the LGA for the Liberal Democrats sitting on the Group Executive and places on the various boards and panels.
The full membership and the lead local authority each councillor is on is listed below.
Officers of the Group
Leader - Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Portsmouth
Deputy Leaders - Mayor Dorothy Thornhill, Watford and Cllr Chris White, St Albans
Whip - Howard Sykes, Oldham
Chair - Jill Shortland, Somerset
Composition of the Executive
Leader - Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Portsmouth
Deputy Leaders - Mayor Dorothy Thornhill, Watford and Cllr Chris White, St Albans
Whip - Howard Sykes, Oldham
Chair - Jill Shortland, Somerset
Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors (ALDC) - Kath Pinnock, Kirklees; Tim Pickstone, Bury
Fire Commission - Jeremy Hilton, Gloucestershire
Urban Commission - Abi Bell, Hull
Rural Commission - Stan Collins, South Lakeland
Children & Young People - Liz Green, Kingston upon Thames
Community Well Being - David Rogers (lead), East Sussex
Culture, Tourism & Sport - Flick Rea (lead), Camden
European & International - Richard Kemp, Liverpool
Improvement - Jill Shortland, Somerset
Safer Communities - Duwayne Brooks, Lewisham
Economy & Transport - Roger Symonds, Bath and NE Somerset
Environment & Housing - Keith House, Eastleigh
Workforce - Stephen Knight, Richmond upon Thames
Resources - David Neighbour, Hart
Finance - Paul Tilsley, Birmingham
Lords rep - Graham Tope
Commons rep - Annette Brooke
Appointments:
Local Partnerships - Edward Lord, City of London
European Lead - Graham Tope, LB Sutton
Board and panel memberships
Children and Young People Board (1 lead, 2 other places and 1 substitute) - Liz Green, Kingston; David Bellotti (Bath and NE Somerset); Kath Pinnock (Kirklees); Peter Downes (Cambridgeshire) - substitute
Community Well Being Board (1 lead, 2 places and 1 substitute) - David Rogers (lead), East Sussex; Zoe Patrick (Oxfordshire); Doreen Huddart (Newcastle); Rabi Martins (Watford) - substitute.
Culture, Tourism and Sport Board (1 lead, 2 places and 1 substitute) - Flick Rea (Camden); Stewart Golton (Leeds); Paul Crossley (BathNES); Philip Eades (Poole) - substitute.
Improvement Board (1 lead, 1 place and 1 substitute) - Jill Shortland (Somerset); Edward Lord (City of London); David Williams (Richmond); Theresa Higgins (Essex) - substitute.
Safer Communities Board (1 lead, 2 places and 1 substitute) - Duwayne Brooks (Lewisham); Lisa Brett (BathNES); Anita Lower (Newcastle); Claire Thomas (Hull) - substitute
Economy and Transport Board (1 lead, 2 places and 1 substitute) - Roger Symonds (BathNES); Heather Kidd (Shropshire); Colin Rosenstiel (Cambridge); Ian Stewart (Cumbria) - substitute.
European & International Board (1 lead, 2 places and 1 substitute) - Richard Kemp (Liverpool); Graham Tope (Sutton); Sian Reid (Cambridge); Nigel Mermagen (Somerset) - substitute.
Environment & Housing Board (1 lead, 2 places and 1 substitute) - Keith House (Eastleigh); Terry Stacy (Islington); Simon Galton (Leicestershire); Tony Trent (Poole) - substitute.
Workforce Board (1 lead, 2 places and 1 substitute) - Stephen Knight (Richmond); Steve Comer (Bristol); Simon Shaw (Sefton); Colin Hay (Cheltenham) - substitute.
Resources Panel (1 lead, 1 substitute) - David Neighbour (Hart); Sam Crabb (Somerset) - substitute
Finance Panel (1 lead, 1 substitute) - Paul Tilsley (Birmingham); Sam Crabb (Somerset) - substitute